new year traditions of different countries

TOPIC 1

Traditions

New year's eve is a very important holiday in many countries and is accompanied by a variety of events, feasts, folk festivals. According to tradition, a Christmas tree is installed in the house. In many countries, it is placed at Christmas and is called a "Christmas" tree.

Kazakhstan

New year is celebrated twice in Kazakhstan: January 1 — according to European tradition, and March 22 — after the spring equinox. Both holidays in Kazakhstan are celebrated at the state level.

It is customary to decorate Christmas trees for the New year. But, unlike in European countries, you can rarely see Santa Claus on the streets (KAZ. Ayaz ATA) with The snow maiden (KAZ. Akshakar) — they are usually guests of corporate events.

Kazakhstan

Russian

In Russia, The new year on January 1 began to be celebrated not so long ago – in 1700 by order of Peter I, and before that, the New year was counted from September 1. Peter I moved the celebration of the New year to January 1 and ordered all houses to decorate with branches of Christmas trees, and "as a sign of fun to congratulate each other on the New year." The era of Peter the Great brought a Christmas tree with toys, fireworks, a festive table and Santa Claus, who was named Santa Claus.

Russian

England

England

In England, there is an old custom: when the clock strikes 12, the back doors of the house are opened to let out the old year, and at the last stroke of the clock, the front doors are opened to let in the new year. In England, in addition to the Christmas tree, the house is decorated with sprigs of mistletoe. There are even bunches of mistletoe on lamps and chandeliers, and, according to custom, you can kiss the person standing in the middle of the room under a bunch of mistletoe.

Germany

Germany

In Germany, people of all ages, as soon as the clock begins to strike midnight, climb on chairs, tables, armchairs and with the last twelfth stroke together, with joyful greetings, "jump" into the New year.

Sweden

Sweden

In Sweden, before the New year, children choose the Queen of light, Lucia. She is dressed in a white dress, a crown with lighted candles is put on her head. Lucia brings gifts to children and treats to Pets: cream for the cat, sugar stone for the dog, carrots for the donkey. In families with children, dads go out to take out the trash, and instead of them, Yul Tomten returns and begins to give gifts. And in Sweden, on New year's eve, it is customary to break dishes at the neighbors 'doors" for luck".

Italy

One of the most interesting traditions of the New year is in Italy. On new year's eve, junk flies from the Windows of houses to the street – from worn-out things and shoes to chairs and chests of drawers. Italians believe that the more old things you throw away, the more wealth the New year will bring. On the first day of Christmas in Italy, a Christmas log is burned. According to legend, it is believed that a burning log should slowly smolder until the New Year to get rid of all the bad things, to burn all the troubles that occurred in the house in the past year.

Italy

Thailand

Thai children and tourists are doused with water during the Thai New year, which begins on April 13. At this time of year, it is hot, and people celebrate the holiday by drenching themselves in water. This ritual originated from the tradition of pouring fragrant water on images of the Buddha as a sign of purification. Then the collected "blessed" water was poured on the family members for good luck.

Thailand

Cuba

It was from Cuba that the ritual came to us: at midnight, with each of the twelve strikes of the clock, you need to eat one grape, making wishes. But the clock only strikes 11 times. Since the 12th stroke falls just on New year's eve, the clock is allowed to rest and calmly celebrate the holiday together with everyone. According to another tradition of celebrating the New year, residents of Cuba fill all dishes and all available containers in the house with clean water. After midnight, in The new year, the water is poured out, thus wishing themselves a clean, bright, clear and prosperous future.

Cuba

Japan

The Japanese before the New Year, be sure to acquire the rake. Without them, the celebration is simply impossible! Small rakes made of bamboo are needed by Japanese residents in order to "rake" happiness with them for the next year.

Japan